Besides Restaurant Nili, Gustav is another restaurant everyone recommends in Rovaniemi.
This is another hugely-popular restaurant, reservation is a must.
You can see from the interior that this is a more modern and contemporary restaurant with a well-stocked bar.
Cocktails
It’s a shame not to order a cocktail or mocktail when there’s such a well-stocked bar.
Noble Apple [13€] is deceptively delicious. The fresh apple juice hids the vodka so well, I almost can’t taste the alcohol.
Espresso Martini [13€] is for the coffee-lovers. Smooth Nordic grain vodka with cold-brew coffee and a dash of salted caramel to add more flavors, just like a sleek and elegant cosmopolitan lady.
Bread
You have to try Knut Bread which goes really well with Selection of Cheeses and Compote of the Day [€12].
Cold Dishes
The humble carrot takes centre stage with Carrots, Nectarines & Brie [16€] . The carrots are marinated and served cold with caramelized nectarines, brie mousse and crushed peacans.
Celeriac, Mushrooms & Miso [15€] combines soy-marinated mushrooms with miso-mayonnaise and celeriac roots to create a symphony of flavors.
Trout & Citrus [16€] is the first time I have seen fish served as a cold dish. The trout is marinated with sugar and salt, and accompanying by rice crack, fennel salad with fennel seed mayonnaise.
Mains
It seems Jerusalem artichoke is rather popular in Rovaniemi. There was Jerusalem artichoke soup at Restaurant Gaissa and now there is Jerusalem Artichoke Waffle [16€] at Gustav. The artichoke waffles doesn’t have much taste except for a natural sweetness, most of the taste comes from the accompanying roasted mushrooms.
The buttery sage and white wine sauce really gives the Pan-Seared Artic Char [17€] a great finishing touch.
This Flank Steak [20€] is seared with butter, garlic and thyme together with peppercorn sauce enriched with duck fat. The side dishes of roasted onions, garlic-potato purée and marinated Savoy cabbage completes the meal.
Desserts
A spoonful of this vanilla cream-filled Profiterole [10€] with raspberry sorbet and dark chocolate will bring you right back to the Parisian streets in Paris.
The tart sweetness of cranberries goes so well with the fluffy white chocolate mousse in White Chocolate & Cranberry [10€].
Gustav
Address: Koskikatu 12, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland
Telephone: +358 40 0421244
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am – 11pm, Friday – Saturday 11am – 12am, Sunday 5pm – 10pm